Land of Oz

Lennie Gone

Ching-Ching
Too bad about Jerry Orbach, he seemed like a nice guy. I really enjoy the L&O original and his character. As Lennie would probably say while looking at his body, "at least that's one pain in the butt gone."

2fers: NBC's Law & Order and Lennie Quotes

Boxing Day

As many of you may not know, or may, December 26 is Boxing Day, for those royalist countries like England, Australia and Canada. Coming as it does after Christmas, many people (who do know of it) think its origin has to do something with getting rid of all the boxes that the Christmas gifts came in. Actually, that's not true. Here's the story of how Boxing Day came to be.

In 18th century England, gin had become very popular as the drink of the commoners. It was a cheap way to try to escape the humdrum and uncomfortable life style that most of the British empire had. Only a very privileged few could celebrate the Christmas holidays with roast goose, plum pudding, and warm houses and gift giving. The vast majority of the Queen's subjects of that time lived a pretty uncomfortable life in the slums of England's cities or in the poverty of farmer's hovels. Hence the use of gin to drink your cares away.

One of the sad results of that is what we would call today, "an upsurge in domestic violence" or as then known as fighting would occur especially after midnight Christmas day. Without ESPN, the resulting donnybrooks became great entertainment for the population. Of course, the more upscale folks didn't like it, and in many cases worried of getting caught up in some lowlife's fight.

In an effort to alleviate these fights, or boxing matches as they saw them, the upperclass started the custom of Boxing Day. They would offer gifts to those families who restrained from fighting amongst themselves and others. Eventually the fighting became less and the origins of the gift giving faded into the Christmas season of gift giving to all. And now, the day after Christmas is celebrated as Boxing Day - a day when people give gifts to those who social status may be less than their own.

2fers: One opinion and and another

By The Numbers

1.364
2
50
442
501
571
10,000
52,000
90,000
100,000
2,300,000
8,300,000

Mosul Missile Attack

Hmmm, another twenty or so GIs dead in an Iraqi attack. I wonder how many were there because of the Stop Loss clause? I remember when I was living in Khobar Towers and looked out my window to the fence about 20 feet away from the wall of the building and wondered when someone would bomb it. I moved my wardrobe between my bed and the window to add a little protection, and wondered about taping the window or somehow blocking it. About a year later when I saw the aftermath of the Khobar Towers bombing (which coincidently killed 19 GIs as well), I realized my exercise would have been pretty futile if I'd still been living there.

A lot of the news articles mention that the GIs at Mosul wondered about the security of their dining hall. Whether it was a missile, mortar or suicide bomb makes little difference in the end. You still have a bunch of dead bodies. However, if it was a bomb, that says even less for our base security. Again, if it's like Dhahran I'm sure the contract guards are spending more time looking for the wrong things. I don't know if the guards at the Mosul site were contractors or not, I'm guessing there's a pretty substantial number. The dining hall is another Haliburton special, so they probably hire guards for at least internal security.

One of the things that really bothers me however is a quote I heard on the PRI radio coverage the other night. I'm sure the General meant well, but heart-warming and blown-to-bits, just don't seem to belong in the same place. Heart-wrenching or sickening would be more my reaction. Bleeding GIs taking care of other bleeding GIs just doesn't meet my definition of heart-warming.

"It was a heart-warming experience to see the wounded soldiers caring for those who were more severely wounded." said Brig.-Gen. Ham.

2fers: Khobar Towers and So much for taping my window

Advance Auto Parts - boo

What is wrong with this place - or maybe I should ask what is wrong with me for returning? The only good thing is the location -- just a few blocks from my house. Actually though, I don't think I'll be returning any time soon. I suppose you might have read my last rant about them. I went back this weekend to pick up some oil, a filter and drop off some old oil for recycling.

I walk up to the counter with a jug of oil in my hand and the guy just stands behind the counter staring at the register screen. By the way, I used to think older employees tended to give better service. Not here. I think this was the same clueless mutt who attempted to "check" my alternator last time. An older gray-haired guy in his 50s or so (no offense on that part - that also describes me). I finally ask him if they recycle oil, and he replies brusquely that yes, but you have to wait and you have to pour it yourself in the back and we can't take the can and just hold on, while he stares at the screen. Sheesh...

I go and pick up a filter and jug of oil (I've learned not to ask them for help - they know less about the store than I do) and head back to the counter. There's a lady there now who offers to pour out the oil for me and when she returns, she takes my money for the filter and oil.

As I walk out the store, I know this is the last time I'll visit this place, unless it's the only place that has what I need. However, since there's a car parts store about every third block in this area, that's pretty unlikely. And it's not like anyone in Advance Auto Parts would be able to find the part for me. The only way to shop here (and it's one advantage they have) is that you can check online for parts, prices and availability. Then you can tell the clerk after they tell you they don't have what you need, that actually, yes you do have what I need. And would you mind finding it for me.

But I've found out that AutoZone (just a small step better than Advance Auto Parts) has a online store service and NAPA (much more knowledgeable than either) has an online store (which isn't as nice as the others) so why bother with a store with surly and less-than-knowledgeable employees? I haven't tried CARQUEST much yet, since they don't offer online shopping for parts.

And BTW, I showed them all right - I threw away my empty oil jug in their trash can out in the parking lot - hahahahaha...

2fers: AutoZone and CARQUEST

Things Just Wrong

Alcohol free beer
fat-free butter
Decaf coffee
movies editted for TV
censored writing
just say no
car speed governors
internet filters
McNuggets
sugarless ice cream
low-rider SUVs
lite cigarettes
fitness center elevators
don't ask don't tell

Old and New

How do you tell if something is old? And when does something change from new to old? Is there a time limit? I've wondered about old stuff that is bought. I guess when that happens, it changes to new. When you buy an antique tool that is 100 years old, it becomes new for you. How long must you keep it until it becomes old again?

When you buy an antique can you consider it new, or if you call it new, does that make it a non-antique? Is the phrase "a new antique" contradictory? Even for stuff that isn't an antique, when does it cross the line from new to old? Or does old even pertain to time? Old seems like something that isn't wanted. I'm guessing that old means you don't want it. That would mean that once something becomes old, it isn't a desired item. Otherwise, it's probably matured or weathered or some such term. Something old and undesired gets dirty and worn, while something that's an antique or heirloom gains a patina.

If I can't run up the stairs any more, I'm old, but if I can demonstrate the knowledge of the ages, I'm mature. A 200 year old chair is a desired antique, while a 12 month old egg is just old and nasty. That brings up the question of does everything have its own range of old, new, and ancient? While furniture and Twinkies seem to last forever, stuff like bakery bread and computers are out-dated in days.

2fers: Old New-Gate and Old Computer Stuff (a lot of which I used and still own

Snow!

A few facts for those of you who attempt to drive this winter. This strange white stuff coming down is the same white stuff that came down last year, the year before that, and the year before that. I have it on pretty good authority, that it also came down earlier than that. And if you idiots remember, it's slippery and it's hard to see through when it's blowing and flying around. Not only that, but if it melts and then the temperature drops down into the Fahrenheit teens, it's going to freeze and become even more slippery.

I had to drive 100 miles last night in snow and cold. (Surprisingly, they often go together). I bring this up because of the large number of idiots who decided to support the local police, fire and wrecker folks last night. It was seven at night (which up here in Michigan is NIGHTTIME). The wind was blowing and the temperature was down around 24 degrees. And people were still driving as if it was the Fourth of July with clear roads and no wind.

You'd think the first 15 or so vehicles in a ditch would remind folks that the weather is bad - but NOOOO. At one time I had just passed a passel of flashing lights with police cars, fire trucks and wreckers stretched across several blocks when some nitwit pulled out from behind me to pass me. He ended up sideways and after finally straightening out, flew on by and probably into some ditch several more miles up the road. I was doing 30 mph and that was probably too fast. The rest of the trip home was punctuated by the plaintive flashing of hazard lights from down in the ditch some place.

I finally got about 20 miles from home when I came across yet another accident - this one closing the road for about an hour. I was about the fourth vehicle in the line of waiting vehicles that stretched back for many miles. I'd like to think if I was only a couple of minutes earlier, I would have been past the accident, however, I could've also been part of the accident.

Which brings to my point. It's December in Michigan and it snows. And when it snows, it's going to be slippery and hard to see and a pain in the ass to drive in. Slow down, you idiot. Your SUV isn't going to help when the road is covered in polished ice and you can't see 50 feet in front of you. Personally and honestly, I don't really care if you head off an embankment at 50 mph in the middle of a blizzard. However, I do care if you take me with you.

2fers National Snow and Ice Data Center and You Roll em,...

Xmas blahs

Obviously, I'm not a big fan of the Xmas holidays. If at all possible, I'd like to go to sleep around the sixth of December and not awaken until around January 5th. Some of the reasons I really don't like this time of the year.

• Travel - naturally you (and half the US) have to travel when the weather sucks - a foot of snow and all that. How about people whose last names ending in the letters A-N drive on even days and those ending in O-Z drive on odd days.
  
• Crowds - everything is crowded. I want to pick up a screwdriver at Sears and have to battle lines and hordes of gift buyers. Even Macdonalds is packed.
  
• Gifts - both getting and giving. Think about how much useless junk you're going to be stuck with this year. And then add to it the pile of useless stuff you're going to give. I've got shirts in my closet that are too ugly to throw away.
  
• Music - does every minute in a store have to be inundated with generic Xmas songs by singers who never sold a album other than those containing lame generic Xmas music?
  
• Family Get-Togethers - as Chandler would say, "Can it ^get^ anymore stressful?"
  
• Lighted decorations - what does packing your lawn with tacky lit up decorations have to do with Xmas?
  
• Egg nog - eeeh, yuck.
  
• Xmas specialty items - why does everyone need to make a special limited edition Xmas gimmick? Do we really need Xmas themed toilet paper?
  

There are some cool things however:

• Burl Ives singing Frosty the Snowman
  
• Charlie Brown's Christmas
  
• Turkey and pumpkin pie
  
• Days off
  
• Cold weather
  
• Working on Xmas day - it usually sooo peaceful at work
  

2fers: Christmas.com (buy me!) and MerryChristmas.com (buy me2!)

Saginaw Continued

I've given some thought to what might be done to help Saginaw recover its past glory. Or at least put a hold on its current decline. I think one of the big problems with Saginaw is that it is at the end of the supply line. If you look at a map, Saginaw is stuck up towards the top of a peninsula. It isn't on the way to anywhere. To get here, you have to drive up to Saginaw and then back down to wherever. At one time the river led to other places, but those days are past. The main route to Canada is farther south through Detroit and Port Huron. Again, to get to Saginaw from those places, you have to go up the Saginaw and then back down.

Look at other Great Lake cities like Toledo, Gary, Toronto, and Chicago for example. If you ship something there, you can keep on going without having to doubleback on your route. I think any type of industry is pretty much dead in the water, so to speak, for the Saginaw area. Having to ship stuff here and doubleback on the route is just too much waste for today's business. Saginaw has to find something that doesn't need shipping.

The biggest growing business here is medical. Other than the occasional small-scale manufacturer, I think that's about it. However, I think a people intensive business might do well here. Like a service call center or some type of mail fulfillment center. There are colleges in the area that can be tapped for expertise and supply trained people. Saginaw Valley University, Central Michigan, Delta College, and Northwood University are all four year colleges near by. Housing is really cheap and the area has a lot offer new residents. Low traffic, good medical care, and a low-stress rural atmosphere should be able to draw employees. Why fight a one or two hour commute in some city south of here, when you can drive to work in 15 or 20 minutes. There are some great buildings still in the city, that could easily be converted to new use. I can think of a couple of multistory buildings right on the river just crying to be reused.

While I don't the river is still a viable business option, it still bodes well for recreational use. Fishing and boating are still a draw and Saginaw offers a lot of both. Condos and offices on the riverfront should be a big draw for professional people. You could build and offer a lot of value in riverfront construction for pretty low costs. Saginaw isn't completely dead, but could really use some serious influx of business.

2fers: WNEM TV and WJRT TV

Saginaw

Let me tell you a little bit about the town I live in. I moved here almost nine years ago after retiring from the USAF. The reason I moved here was that I was looking for a small state university in Michigan to attend and Saginaw Valley State University fit the bill. And I have to say that SVSU was all I hoped for. Small classes and mostly good professors who taught themselves instead of using teaching assistants.

The city of Saginaw isn't quite that successful however. It's a textbook example of a rust belt city gone bad. In the 19th century it was the lumber city. A ton of millionaires in the city, beautiful houses and city, and lots of jobs. In the early to mid 20th century automobiles made their mark. The nation's oldest Buick dealer is here and at one time several big industries that supported the auto industry gave great jobs to blue collar folks. These folks made a great city with theatres and stores. The Saginaw River splits the city and once was the economic lifeline of the city. It connected the sawmills to the Great Lakes and the rest of the world. Now the river splits the city in more ways than one.

With the decline and fall of the American auto monopoly, the industries are mostly gone leaving either brown sites or empty factories. The money is gone and downtown Saginaw borders on a ghost town. Empty lots and abandoned buildings give it a feeling of some bombed out Middle Eastern city only with grass. South of the river is mostly minorities - mostly black. Almost weekly is a shooting or stabbing and every couple of weeks someone is murdered. A big hotel on that side recently lost a bunch of business because of some violence nearby. While the city officials said it wasn't really dangerous, one of the suggestions to the hotel was to build a berm around it. I suppose armed guards and razor wire wouldn't have been surprising.

It's sad because Saginaw was once a pretty nice place. There are still great looking buildings withstanding urban decay. The original post office (now a museum) and library are gorgeous stone buildings that resemble French castles. There is still one of the original theatres (Temple Theatre) downtown that has been renovated and looks great. Unfortunately, it's situated in an area of the city, that most don't feel safe visiting. And yes, the city says it isn't really dangerous, but that's the side of the city where life is cheap.

The riverfront holds great promise. Not so much as a business avenue, but it could fit nicely into leisure time use. It still connects to the Great Lakes and boating is still big. Housing is cheap and there are still absolutely gorgeous houses in the city. They are getting rundown, but could still be rescued with not that much work. Old houses from the turn of the century full of great woodwork and showing off the attention to detail in residences that is now only found in the most expensive of houses. My 1908 house has great 8 inch wide wood trim inside, a full front porch, nice wood colonnades inside with leaded glass display cases and more. It seems that the future of Saginaw is in the medical field. There are several big hospitals in the area with more being developed. Housing is cheap and for the most part life is quiet and moves at a comfortable pace.

Saginaw has lost a great deal, but still holds promise. Jobs are hard to find, but costs are low. You can hop on the freeway and be in Detroit in a couple of hours - if you want to. Plunk your boat into the river and be cruising the Great Lakes in no time at all. Hunting and fishing abound with more deer than you can though a bodyshop at. Maybe the city's turning around - I hope.

2fers: Saginaw Public Libraries and City of Saginaw

Car Parts

As you probably know, I like to rant about poor service in stores. A couple of weekends ago, I finally got my truck mechanically running, but with serious electrical problems. I replaced a battery with one dead cell, but it wouldn't run very long before dying in a fading blaze of dimming headlights. I suspected the alternator had gone bad. After a full night on a battery charger, I noticed the alternator was quite warm. My guess was that something had shorted out in there.

I called a local Advance Autoparts store and asked if they checked alternators. They said they did, so I pulled the suspected unit out and took it to the store. The poor old guy was clueless. He hemmed and hawed and fiddled and looked up diagrams and tried changing adapters and finally asked somebody else if he had it correct before telling me the alternator was bad. The other guy didn't even look, just yelled "yeah, you got it right." Needless to say, I was less than impressed with his advice.

I went down the street to AutoZone and basically went through the whole process again. This guy at least seemed to know how to hook it up to the machine but was really at a loss to explain the test result, except to say the alternator was bad. By this time I was pretty convinced the alternator was in fact bad, but wanted to find someone who at least seemed to have an idea of what was going on.

Next stop up was a NAPA dealer. This place had the least fancy test machine, but seemed to have the most intelligent guy operating it. He hooked it up and said, it's bad, it's only putting out 9 volts. I said OK, and bought a remanufactured alternator for around $80. The terminals were in a bit different locations, but I thought it would work.

Back to the truck and after putting it in, it was just about 1/4" off. I took it out and back to NAPA and the clerk rotated the assembly in a couple minutes and I was back on my way to my garage. I got it in and hooked up and it seems to be working and charging fine.

Which store do you think I'll be going back to next time? I don't care how fancy your test equipment is and how pretty the diagrams and stuff are, the employee still has to have some idea of what's going on. Even though Advance Autopart is close by and looks nice, the employees have consistently been way less than helpful. AutoZone is kind of in the middle. The employees seem a little more knowledgeable, but the service just isn't there. It's OK for the occasional wiper blade or such, but I don't get a good feeling from them for more serious parts. NAPA is probably the least appealing in appearance, but they sure do seem to know what they are talking about.

When I went to buy the battery, I looked up Advance Autoparts online and got a price of around $60. I called them and the guy who answered said they had some on hand, no problem. I went there and asked and the clerk said they only had the $120 battery in stock. I had to go to three different employees before I could buy my $60 battery.

2fers: NAPA and Ford Truck Forum